Aerosol valve assembly locating and setting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for locating and setting valve closure cap assemblies on aerosol containers which apparatus is adapted to be combined with a horizontal bottom conveyor for advancing the containers in upright position to a locating and setting station where there is mounted an overhead locating wheel with a peripheral groove for engaging the valve carrying closures and locating the assemblies in the top openings in the containers and associated guide members for assisting in the proper locating of the assemblies and for guiding and steadying the containers while the assemblies are located in the openings and subsequently forced down in seating relation on the rims defining the openings by a setting wheel which is mounted immediately adjacent the locating wheel in the path of advance of the containers.

United States Patent Leonard [4 1 Oct. 10,1972

[72] Inventor: George E. Leonard, A Davenport,

Iowa 73 Assignee: The Kartridg Park 130., Davenport,

} Iowa 22 Filed: Dec.28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 101,504

[5 2] US. Cl. ..29/208 B [51] Int. Cl. ..B23p 19/04 [58] Field ofSearch.29/208 B, 211R, 208 R, 208 D,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,054,170 9/1962 Benichasaet al. ..29/208 B Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney-Greist,Lockwood, Greenawalt & Dewey [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus for locatingand setting valve closure cap assemblies on aerosol containers whichapparatus is adapted to be combined with a horizontal bottom conveyorfor advancing the containers in upright position to a locating andsetting station where there is mounted an overhead locating wheel with aperipheral groove for engaging the valve carrying closures and locatingthe assemblies in the top openings in the containers and associatedguide members for assisting in the proper locating of the assemblies andfor guiding and steadying the containers while the assemblies arelocated in the openings and subsequently forced down in seating relationon the rims defining the openings by a setting wheel which is mountedimmediately adjacent the locating wheel in the path of advance of thecontainers.

19 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMH IM 3.696.493

SHEET 1 OF 4 $21 I n: 1' v} 55 INVENTOR 5 GEORGE E. LEONARD PATENTEDucI10 1912 saw 2 BF 4 R w W W GEORGE E. LEONARD PKTENTEMBT 10 um sum a nr 4INVENTOR m m 0 A E L. E E 6% m, E G

PKTENTED 10 3,696,493

sum u 0F 4 I IN VENTOR GEORGE E. LEONA RD AEROSOL VALVE ASSEMBLYLOCATING AND SETTING APPARATUS This invention has to do with thepackaging of products in aerosol containers and is more particularlyconcerned with improvements in apparatus for properly locating valve andclosure cap assemblies which have been deposited in random arrangementin the top openings of aerosol containers and for properly seating theclosure caps on the rims defining the openings in the containers so asto insure proper sealing by subsequent crimp sealing apparatus.

The machinery which has heretoforexbeen employed in setting valve andclosure cap assemblies in the top openings of aerosol containers hasgenerally employed a wheel or the like for forcing the closure caps downinto the container top openings which could not seat a valve assemblywhich was notalready piloted into the opening of the container. Someapparatus has been designed for performing this operation which hasinvolved the use of internal conical heads mounted to come down in timedrelation onto the containers and thus locate and seat the valves in thevalve assemblies in the openings. However, apparatus of this type hasproven to be bulky, expensive, slow in operation. and inefficient. It isa general object, therefore, of the present invention to provide animproved apparatus for locating and seating valve assemblies on aerosolcontainers which is simple, highly efficient, capable of relatively highspeed operation and relatively inexpensive to build.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improvedapparatus for setting random deposited valve and closure cap assembliesin the top openings. of aerosol containers at a relatively high-speedwhich employs a setting wheel without the need forpiloting theassemblies into the container openings.

A further object of the invention is toprovidevan ap paratus for settingvalve and closure cap assemblies in the open tops of aerosol containerswherein the containers, which may be random spaced, are advancedcontinuously past setting wheels and associated guide means forsteadying and guiding the containers and for insuring that the valveassemblies are in proper position for effective operation of thelocating wheel and the associated setting wheel so as to properly seateach successive valve assembly as the containers are advanced beneaththe same.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom a consideration of the apparatus which is shown by way ofillustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus for locating and settingvalve assemblies in aerosol containers which embodies therein theprincipal features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, to a larger scale;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, to a largerscale;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2,to a still larger scale, and with portions broken away;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross section taken on the line 66 of FIG. 2;and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

The apparatus in the form shown (FIGS. 1 to 3) is supported on anupright-stand or frame 10 which has a mechanism 12 mounted at the basefor positioning the same for association with a conveyor 14 on the toprun of .which aerosol containers or-receptacles R advance to the valveassembly placing and setting station where the present apparatus islocated, with drive connections for operating the apparatus insynchronism with the advance of the conveyor top run 15 on which theaerosol containers R are supported and advanced. The apparatus 16 forplacing and setting the valve assemblies V is supported on the upper endof the stand 10 and is operative to place and set successive valveassemblies V which are loosely positioned in random arrangement in theopen tops T of the containers R as they are advanced to the apparatus.Each of the valve assemblies V comprises a valve mechanism (not shown)mounted in a closure cap C with a depending dip tube (not shown) whichis positioned in the container and an upstanding valve operating buttonB.

The placing and setting apparatusl6 (FIGS. 1 to 4) comprises holddownand steadying mechanism'l8 for the tops of the containers R while theypass successively beneath a mechanism, indicated at '20 in'FlG. l, forinitially I positioning successive valve assemblies -V either centeredin the top opening in the container. R or resting on the trailing edgethereof, a valve placing wheel 22 and a valve setting wheel '24, thelatter forcing the closure cap C down into properly seated position onthe container top when the valve assembly V has been properly located orplaced onthe container top.

When the apparatus is positioned for operation in a filling line, thebase of the stand 10is disposed so that the top run -15'(FIGS. 1 and 3)of the conveyor 14 on which the containers R are advanced is supportedon inturned flanges 26, 26' at the top'ofparallel spaced vertical plates27, 27 which form part of the supporting frame-for the conveyor 14 onwhich form a bracket structure 28 extending forwardly of the front faceof the stand 10 and adapted for incorporation in the conveyor frame. Adrive shaft 30 is journaled in the bracket structure 28 which carries asprocket assembly pulley 33 on the other end of the shaft 30. A crossbar 32 holds the bottom run of the conveyor 14 in engagement with thesprocket assembly 31. The main frame portion of the stand 10 includesparallel vertical members 34, 34 which are connected in sliding relationto the frame structure 28 with bolts 35 on frame 28 operating invertical slots 36, 36' in the frame members 34, 34' for holding orclamping the T-shaped main portion of the stand 10 in adjusted positionso as to accommodate'containers of different size.

The mechanism 18 (FIGS. 1 to 4) for steadying the tops of the containersR comprises a pair of laterally spaced, holddown bars or plates 38, 38'carried in vertically disposed parallel relationship on shafts 40 and'41 at opposites ends of the plates 38, 38. The shafts 40, 41 arejournaled in bearings 42, 43 mounted on the top of a horizontallydisposed, vertically movable or adjustable frame structure 44 which issupported on the upright main frame of the stand 10. The cross frame 44is slidably mounted on the upright frame members 34, 34 and connectedfor vertical adjustment with a horizontally disposed parallel top crossframe member 45 fixed on the upper ends of vertical frame members 34,34, both frame members 44 and 45 being in the plane of the verticalframe members 34, 34. The holddown bars 38, 38' support pairs of pulleys46, 46 and 47, 47' at the opposite ends which are in parallel, verticalplanes and carry endless belts 48, 48'. The pulleys 46, 46 and 47, 47are attached to bearing sleeves 50 which are joumaled in the holddownplates 38, 38 and which are keyed to the shafts 40 and 41 for adjustmentaxially of the latter. The plates 38, 38' are connected by right andleft hand threads with adjusting screws 51, 51' each of which isrotatably anchored at its inner end to the cross frame 44 (FIG. 7).

Each of the shafts 51 and 51' carries at its anchored end a sprocket 52,52' and each shaft has an operating knob 53, 53 for manual adjustment ofthe spacing of the holddown plates 38, 38' which are connected to theadjusting screws 51, 51 in threaded relation so that operation of thescrews moves the plates 38, 38' and the holddown belts 48, 48 carriedthereon toward and from each other. The sprockets 52, 52' are connectedby a movement equalizing chain 54. The belts 48, 48 are guided in ahorizontal plane by a plurality of small, peripherally grooved pulleys55, each of which is supported along the inside bottom edges of theholddown plates 38, 38 on small pin shaft assemblies 56. The belts 48,48' are adjusted laterally as shown in FIG. 3 to engage on the top edgeof the bead normally found at the top of the side wall of aerosolcontainers R so as to hold the tops of the containers R for travel at auniform elevation and in a straight line path.

I The cross frame member 44 which supports the holddown plates 38, 38and associated holddown mechanism is connected for vertical adjustmentwith thetop cross frame member 45 by means of a pair of adjusting screws57, 57 which are joumaled in the top cross frame 45 and have a threadedconnection, as shown at 58 in FIG. 3, with the frame 44 so that rotationof the screws 57, 57 raises and lowers the frame 44 relative to thecross frame member 45. The adjusting screws 57, 57 each have a manuallyoperable knob 59, 59' on the top thereof and each carries a sprocket 60,60' for a chain 61 which synchronizes the movement of the screws. Achain tensioning sprocket 61 is provided for the chain 61.

At the entrance end of the apparatus, vertically disposed, laterallyspaced, side guide plates 62, 62 are mounted on an angle bracket 63which extends outwardly of the end of frame cross member 45. The guideplates 62, 62' have parallel, vertically disposed, laterally spaced,straight side guide portions 64, 64 and outwardly flared divergingentrance portions 65, 65'. The straight portions 64, 64' extendlongitudinally of the apparatus to a point near the placing wheel 22 andhave a lateral spacing or separating dimension slightly greater than thediameter of the closure cap C so as to center the valve assemblies V fortravel in a longitudinally straight line. An air nozzle 66 is supported,by means of the small bracket 67 and the larger bracket 63, on thecenter line between the flared ends 65, 65' of the guide plates 62, 62'so that an air jet is applied to the valve assembly V tending to urgethe same in a forward direction. A pair of pull back spring arms 70 and70' are mounted at one end on the bracket 63 and extend to a pointadjacent the placing wheel 22 as shown in FIG. 4. Each of the pull backmembers 70 comprises a relatively narrow length of flat spring materialbent to provide a relatively short straight end section 71 which isdisposed to engage the top of the cap C. The one spring pull back member70 is provided on the bottom face of the end section 71 with abutton-like projection 73 which may be provided by a rivet head, forexample. The projection 73 will exert a sufficient pull on the top ofthe cap C to pull back any cap which is hung up on the forward edge ofthe container opening so as to either center the cap in the opening ordraw it back onto the trailing edge of the same. This insures that thecap C is either centered in the opening or sitting on the back edgethereof so that it will be brought forward and centered in properposition for seating by operation of the faster traveling placing wheel22.

The wheel 22 for placing the valve assemblies comprises a rim formingcylindrical member which is mounted on a hub 81 by means of a pluralityof curved spring spokes 82. The hub 81 is carried on a shaft 83 which isjoumaled in the top cross bar 45 of the main frame with the back endthereof extended and carrying a drive pulley 85 and a sprocket 86. Thewheel rim 80 has a circumferentially extending, peripheral recess 87which is in .the form of a groove with a generally V- shaped crosssection and with the outer edges shaped, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, so asto accommodate button B of the valve assembly and to press down on themargins of caps C with sufficient resilient pressure to start the caps Conto the beaded edge of the container opening. The placing wheel 22 isdriven at a linear speed which is greater than the speed of advance ofthe container so as to frictionally grip the top of the cap and move itforwardly into position if it is riding on the trailing end of theopening. The V-groove 87 is shaped so as to engage the rim of the cap Cat 88 and 88' and exert a longitudinal opposing force as well as adownward force that combines to make the frictional force greater thanthe force resisting the sliding action of the assembly on the top of thecontainer.

The setting wheel 24 which is designed to force, the cap down intoproper position for clinching on the mouth rim is a solid wheelstructure with a peripheral groove or recess for accommodating thebutton B mounted on the end of shaft 91 which is joumaled in cross barmember 45 and extends at the rear end of the frame to receive sprocket92 for connection by means of chain 93 with sprocket 86 on the placingwheel shaft 83. This connection results in driving wheel 24 at a linearspeed corresponding to the speed of advance of the containers onconveyor 14. The wheel 24 may be formed of axially spaced plates asshown or it may be solid with the peripheral surface recessed similar tothat of the placing wheel rim 80 so as to provide a groove 94 on the capengaging periphery which accommodates the button 80.

To avoid any tendency of the valve assembly V rising out of thecontainer top opening after being placed therein by the placing wheel22, a holddown shoe assembly 95 is provided between the wheels 22 and24. This comprises a pair of vertically disposed, laterally spaced platemembers 96, 96 which are mounted at the lower end of a support bar 97.The support bar 97 depends from an angle bracket 98 which is secured onthe top cross piece 45.

Power is supplied for driving the wheels 22 and 24 and the belts 48, 48'by the pulley 33, which is carried on the shaft 30, and the drive belt100. The belt 100 passes around pulley 33 and down around a pair ofidler pulleys 101, 101 which are mounted on the back of members 34, 34'of the vertically adjustable main frame 10. At one side of the mainframe the belt 100 extends upwardly along the vertical member 34 andaround the pulley 85 on the placing wheel shaft 83 and then down aroundthe idler pulley 102 which is mounted on the back of the cross frame 44.The belt 100 then runs to drive pulley 013 on the shaft 41 for drivingthe belts 48, 48' and around an idler pulley 104 and finally down alongthe vertical member 34 on the other side of the frame to the idlerpulley 101. This drive arrangement permits vertical adjustment of themain frame 10 and also adjustment of the cross frame 44.

The main frame 10 is connected for vertical adjustment relative to thebracket assembly 12 by a vertically extending screw 105 (FIG. 1) whichis journaled at its upper end at 106 in the top cross frame 45 and has athreaded connection at 107 with a fixed member 108 on the bracketassembly 12. A handle 109 on the upper end of screw 105 enables thelatter to be turned manually to adjust the height of the apparatus 16 inorder to accommodate different size containers.

In operating the apparatus the containers R, with valve assemblies Vdisposed in the mouths thereof in random arrangement, are advanced onthe conveyor run to the placing and setting station where the caps, onwhich the valve mechanisms are carried, are aligned longitudinally bythe guide plates 62, 62 and pass beneath the holddown spring members 70,70 to the placing wheel 22. The holddown springs 70, 70 exert a drag onthe caps so that a cap hung up on the leading edge of a container mouthwill be pulled back either into the mouth or onto the trailing edge ofthe latter. The placing wheel 22 is driven at a linear speed which isgreater than the advance of the containers and is resiliently urgeddownwardly, pulling the cap which is on the trailing edge forwardly intothe mouth and simultaneously starting the cap downwardly into thecontainer mouth so that it is positioned for proper seating. If the capis centered in the container mouth the wheel 22 merely starts it downinto seating position. The guide plates 96, 96' prevent the caps fromrising out of position as they advance and pass beneath the seatingwheel 24 which presses the caps down into position for a subsequentclinching or sealing operation.

lclaim:

1. An apparatus for locating and setting valve and closure capassemblies which have been deposited in random arrangement in the rimmedtop openings of aerosol containers which apparatus comprises conveyormeans for supporting containers in upright position and advancing thesame to a locating and setting station, locating and setting wheelsmounted in spaced relation at said station, said wheels being disposedso as to engage and press downwardly the caps on the successiveassemblies as they'are advanced beneath he same, and associated means atsaid station for aligning the valve assemblies and guiding the same intoa position on the tops of the containers for engagement by the placingand setting wheels so that downward pressure applied by said placing andsetting wheels thereon will properly position and seat the caps incontainer openings for subsequent sealing thereon.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein means is provided forcooperation with said container supporting conveyor means to hold thecontainers in alignment as they advance beneath the locating and settingwheels.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for holdingthe containers in alignment comprises a pair of laterally spacedholddown belts extending parallel to the path of the containersupporting conveyor means at said station which are positioned to engagethe tops of the containers.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein holddown belts arecarried on a series of grooved back up rollers which are closely spacedalong the path of the containers at said station.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for aligningthe valve assemblies comprises parallel, vertically disposed, laterallyspaced guide plates mounted at the infeed side of the locating andsetting station and adjacent said locating wheel.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for aligningthe valve assemblies comprises a resilient holddown member mounted abovethe path of advance of the valve assemblies in position to frictionallyengage the top portions of said assemblies.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for aligningthe valve assemblies comprises an elongate spring member mounted abovethe path of advance of the valve assemblies and having a free enddisposed to frictionally engage top portions of an assembly positionedin a container mouth so as to exert a restraining force on he same andpull the assembly in a direction opposite the direction of advancethereof.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a holddown device ispositioned between the locating and setting wheels which engages the topof each successive valve assembly so as to hold the same in place duringtransfer from the locating wheel to the setting wheel.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for aligningsaid valve assemblies comprises a member for frictionally engaging topportions of successive valve assemblies so as to exert a drag thereonfor moving assemblies toward the trailing edge of the container mouth,and means is provided for driving the locating wheel at a linear speedgreater than the speed of the container conveyor means so as to pullvalve assembly forwardly into the container mouth.

10. An apparatus for locating and setting valve and closure capassemblies which have been deposited in random arrangement in the topopenings of aerosol containers which apparatus comprises conveyor meansfor supporting containers in upright position and advancing the same toa locating and setting station, an upright T-shaped support frame atsaid station, locating and setting wheels mounted in spaced relation onthe top cross bar of said support frame, said wheels being disposedso asto engage and press downwardly the caps on successive assemblies as theyare advanced beneath the same, associated means mounted on the top crossbar of said support frame for aligning the valve assemblies and guidingthe same into a position on the tops of the containers fro engagement bythe placing and setting wheels so that downward pressure applied by saidplacing and setting wheels thereon will properly position and seat thecaps in container openings for subsequent sealing thereon, a bottomcross bar mounted for vertical adjustment on said sup port frame, andmeans on said bottom cross bar for engaging top portions of thecontainers carried on said container supporting conveyor means so as tohold the same against vertical movement.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means forholding the containers against vertical movement comprises a pair ofendless traveling belts mounted on said bottom cross bar for lateraladjustment which are adapted to be positioned to engage top portions ofthe containers on opposite sides of the mouth thereof.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means forholding the containers against vertical movement comprises a pair ofparallel shaft members journaled in spaced relation on said bottom crossbar and extending above said container supporting conveyor means, a pairof pulleys mounted on each of said shaft members, traveling endlessbelts mounted on said pulleys, the outermost pulleys being adjustableaxially on said shafts, vertically disposed, parallel plates carried onsaid shaft members, small belt guiding pulleys mounted on said parallelplates for holding the bottom runs of said belts in a straight line soas to engage the tops of containers and hold them in line on saidsupporting conveyor means.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein drive means isprovided for said locating and setting wheels and said containerengaging belts which drive means includes a connection with saidcontainer supporting conveyor so that said wheels and said belts aredriven in response to the driving of said container supporting conveyor.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said upright supportframe is mounted for vertical adjustment relative to said containersupporting conveyor and wherein drive mean is provided for said locatingand setting wheels which drive means includes a connection with saidcontainer supporting conveyor so that operation of said containersupporting conveyor drives said locating and setting wheels insynchronized relation with said container supporting conveyor.

15. An apparatus for locating and setting valve and closure capassemblies which have been deposited in random arrangement in the rimmedtop openings of aerosol containers which apparatus comprises conveyormeans for supporting containers in upright position and advancing thesame to a locating and setting station, placing nd setting wheelsmounted in spaced relation at said station, said wheels being disposedso as to engage and press downwardly the caps on the successiveassemblies as they are advanced beneath the same, and means at saidstation for aligning the valve assemblies and positioning the same onthe tops of the containers for engagement by the placing and settingwheels so that downward pressure applied by said placing and settingwheels thereon will start the caps downwardly in the top openings andseat the caps in the openings for subsequent sealing of the caps.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein means is provided forfrictionally engaging the tops of the caps as they approach the placingwheel thereby to pull any caps which are resting on the leading edge ofthe opening in a rearward direction so as to drop the caps into the topopenings or to position the caps on the rearward edges of the openingsand wherein means is provided to drive the placing wheel at a linearspeed which is greater than the speed of advance of the containers so asto move any caps which are positioned on the trailing edges of theopenings into proper position in the container openings for seatingtherein.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said means forfrictionally engaging the tops of the caps comprises a pair of springfingers disposed in parallel, laterally spaced, longitudinal relation sothat free ends thereof engage the tops of the caps and wherein one ofsaid arms has a button-like member on he bottom face for engaging thecap so as to exert a drag thereon.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said placing wheel hasa generally V-shaped peripheral groove with provision for resilientlyengaging the rim of the closure cap so as to exert a frictional forcethereon which is greater than the force resisting the sliding of theclosure cap on the container and wherein means is provided for drivingsaid placing wheel at a linear speed greater than he speed of advance ofthe containers so as to pull forward into the container top opening avalve and closure cap assembly which is resting on the trailing edge ofthe container opening.

19. In an apparatus for locating and setting valve and closure capassemblies which have been deposited in random arrangement in the rimmedtop openings of aerosol containers which apparatus comprises conveyormeans for supporting containers in upright position and advancing thesame to a locating and setting station, a locating wheel mounted at saidstation, said wheel being disposed so as to engage and press downwardlythe closure caps on the successive assemblies as they are advancedbeneath the same thereby to start the caps downwardly in the topopenings, said locating wheel having a generally V-shaped grooveformation on the periphery thereof with side edge portions arranged toengage the rim of the closure cap of each assembly and exert africtional force greater than the force resisting sliding of the closurecap on the container, and means for driving said locating wheel at alinear speed which is greater than the speed of advance of thecontainers whereby a closure cap assembly which is resting on thetrailing side of the container top will be pulled forward into thecontainer top opening by said locating wheel.

1. An apparatus for locating and setting valve and closure capassemblies which have been deposited in random arrangement in the rimmedtop openings of aerosol containers which apparatus comprises conveyormeans for supporting containers in upright position and advancing thesame to a locating and setting station, locating and setting wheelsmounted in spaced relation at said station, said wheels being disposedso as to engage and press downwardly the caps on the successiveassemblies as they are advanced beneath he same, and associated means atsaid station for aligning the valve assemblies and guiding the same intoa position on the tops of the containers for engagement by the placingand setting wheels so that downward pressure applied by said placing andsetting wheels thereon will properly position and seat the caps incontainer openings for subsequent sealing thereon.
 2. An apparatus asset forth in claim 1, wherein means is provided for co-operation withsaid container supporting conveyor means to hold the containers inalignment as they advance beneath the locating and setting wheels.
 3. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for holding thecontainers in alignment comprises a pair of laterally spaced holddownbelts extending parallel to the path of the container supportingconveyor means at said station which are positioned to engage the topsof the containers.
 4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, whereinholddown belts are carried on a series of grooved back up rollers whichare closely spaced along the path of the containers at said station. 5.An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for aligningthe valve assemblies comprises parallel, vertically disposed, laterallyspaced guide plates mounted at the infeed side of the locating andsetting station and adjacent said locating wheel.
 6. An apparatus as setforth in claim 1, wherein said means for aligning the valve assembliescomprises a resilient holddown member mounted above the path of advanceof the valve assemblies in position to frictionally engage the topportions of said assemblies.
 7. An apparatus as set forth In claim 1,wherein said means for aligning the valve assemblies comprises anelongate spring member mounted above the path of advance of the valveassemblies and having a free end disposed to frictionally engage topportions of an assembly positioned in a container mouth so as to exert arestraining force on he same and pull the assembly in a directionopposite the direction of advance thereof.
 8. An apparatus as set forthin claim 1, wherein a holddown device is positioned between the locatingand setting wheels which engages the top of each successive valveassembly so as to hold the same in place during transfer from thelocating wheel to the setting wheel.
 9. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said means for aligning said valve assemblies comprisesa member for frictionally engaging top portions of successive valveassemblies so as to exert a drag thereon for moving assemblies towardthe trailing edge of the container mouth, and means is provided fordriving the locating wheel at a linear speed greater than the speed ofthe container conveyor means so as to pull valve assembly forwardly intothe container mouth.
 10. An apparatus for locating and setting valve andclosure cap assemblies which have been deposited in random arrangementin the top openings of aerosol containers which apparatus comprisesconveyor means for supporting containers in upright position andadvancing the same to a locating and setting station, an uprightT-shaped support frame at said station, locating and setting wheelsmounted in spaced relation on the top cross bar of said support frame,said wheels being disposed so as to engage and press downwardly the capson successive assemblies as they are advanced beneath the same,associated means mounted on the top cross bar of said support frame foraligning the valve assemblies and guiding the same into a position onthe tops of the containers fro engagement by the placing and settingwheels so that downward pressure applied by said placing and settingwheels thereon will properly position and seat the caps in containeropenings for subsequent sealing thereon, a bottom cross bar mounted forvertical adjustment on said support frame, and means on said bottomcross bar for engaging top portions of the containers carried on saidcontainer supporting conveyor means so as to hold the same againstvertical movement.
 11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, whereinsaid means for holding the containers against vertical movementcomprises a pair of endless traveling belts mounted on said bottom crossbar for lateral adjustment which are adapted to be positioned to engagetop portions of the containers on opposite sides of the mouth thereof.12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means forholding the containers against vertical movement comprises a pair ofparallel shaft members journaled in spaced relation on said bottom crossbar and extending above said container supporting conveyor means, a pairof pulleys mounted on each of said shaft members, traveling endlessbelts mounted on said pulleys, the outermost pulleys being adjustableaxially on said shafts, vertically disposed, parallel plates carried onsaid shaft members, small belt guiding pulleys mounted on said parallelplates for holding the bottom runs of said belts in a straight line soas to engage the tops of containers and hold them in line on saidsupporting conveyor means.
 13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12,wherein drive means is provided for said locating and setting wheels andsaid container engaging belts which drive means includes a connectionwith said container supporting conveyor so that said wheels and saidbelts are driven in response to the driving of said container supportingconveyor.
 14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein saidupright support frame is mounted for vertical adjustment relative tosaid container supporting conveyor and wherein drive mean is providedfor said locating and setting wheels whiCh drive means includes aconnection with said container supporting conveyor so that operation ofsaid container supporting conveyor drives said locating and settingwheels in synchronized relation with said container supporting conveyor.15. An apparatus for locating and setting valve and closure capassemblies which have been deposited in random arrangement in the rimmedtop openings of aerosol containers which apparatus comprises conveyormeans for supporting containers in upright position and advancing thesame to a locating and setting station, placing nd setting wheelsmounted in spaced relation at said station, said wheels being disposedso as to engage and press downwardly the caps on the successiveassemblies as they are advanced beneath the same, and means at saidstation for aligning the valve assemblies and positioning the same onthe tops of the containers for engagement by the placing and settingwheels so that downward pressure applied by said placing and settingwheels thereon will start the caps downwardly in the top openings andseat the caps in the openings for subsequent sealing of the caps.
 16. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein means is provided forfrictionally engaging the tops of the caps as they approach the placingwheel thereby to pull any caps which are resting on the leading edge ofthe opening in a rearward direction so as to drop the caps into the topopenings or to position the caps on the rearward edges of the openingsand wherein means is provided to drive the placing wheel at a linearspeed which is greater than the speed of advance of the containers so asto move any caps which are positioned on the trailing edges of theopenings into proper position in the container openings for seatingtherein.
 17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said meansfor frictionally engaging the tops of the caps comprises a pair ofspring fingers disposed in parallel, laterally spaced, longitudinalrelation so that free ends thereof engage the tops of the caps andwherein one of said arms has a button-like member on he bottom face forengaging the cap so as to exert a drag thereon.
 18. An apparatus as setforth in claim 15 wherein said placing wheel has a generally V-shapedperipheral groove with provision for resiliently engaging the rim of theclosure cap so as to exert a frictional force thereon which is greaterthan the force resisting the sliding of the closure cap on the containerand wherein means is provided for driving said placing wheel at a linearspeed greater than he speed of advance of the containers so as to pullforward into the container top opening a valve and closure cap assemblywhich is resting on the trailing edge of the container opening.
 19. Inan apparatus for locating and setting valve and closure cap assemblieswhich have been deposited in random arrangement in the rimmed topopenings of aerosol containers which apparatus comprises conveyor meansfor supporting containers in upright position and advancing the same toa locating and setting station, a locating wheel mounted at saidstation, said wheel being disposed so as to engage and press downwardlythe closure caps on the successive assemblies as they are advancedbeneath the same thereby to start the caps downwardly in the topopenings, said locating wheel having a generally V-shaped grooveformation on the periphery thereof with side edge portions arranged toengage the rim of the closure cap of each assembly and exert africtional force greater than the force resisting sliding of the closurecap on the container, and means for driving said locating wheel at alinear speed which is greater than the speed of advance of thecontainers whereby a closure cap assembly which is resting on thetrailing side of the container top will be pulled forward into thecontainer top opening by said locating wheel.